'Country wanted an apology, PM forgave it': Congress' sharp swipe at Modi's video over 'abuse' row

PM Modi calls for restraint, forgiveness

In the video released on Friday night, Modi appealed for restraint and compassion after abusive slogans directed at him during student protests over the alleged NEET paper leak led to a police case against a 25-year-old woman.

Stressing that "abuses never solve anything," the Prime Minister urged society to guide young protesters instead of punishing them.

Referring to the events at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, Modi said the incident had drawn nationwide attention but maintained that the response should be one of forgiveness rather than retaliation.

Congress takes a dig

Reacting to the Prime Minister's remarks, Congress leader Pawan Khera mocked the message in a post on X.

Sharing Modi's video, Khera wrote in Hindi: "What an irony. The country is asking them to apologise, and they have forgiven the country."

'Guide the misguided, don't punish them'

Referring to the slogans raised during the protest, the Prime Minister said he and even his late mother had been subjected to abuse.

"What happened at Jantar Mantar has been seen by the country and the world. Some misguided youngsters used language that has no place in any civilised society. I was abused, and even my late mother was abused," he said.

Despite the personal attacks, Modi said he did not believe punishment was the answer.

"Abuses never solve anything. Let us guide those who have lost their way. Let us work together. Let us work for Bharat," he said.

'Youth deserve a chance to correct mistakes'

Describing the protesters as "misguided children," the Prime Minister said youth often make mistakes and should be given an opportunity to learn from them.

"Mistakes are made in childhood, and childhood also provides an opportunity to correct those mistakes. That is what being young is about," he said.

"There is anger in society, and I understand that. But now is the time to embrace these children and show them the right path. Punishing them, dragging them through courts and harassing them will not change the circumstances."

He added that he personally wanted to forgive those responsible and appealed to the public to adopt the same approach.

"I want to forgive them. I request society also to accept what I am saying," he said.

Police case over protest slogans

The Prime Minister's remarks came days after a 25-year-old woman was booked over allegedly objectionable remarks made during a Cockroach Janta Party-led protest against alleged paper leaks at Jantar Mantar on July 23.

A Zero FIR was initially registered at the Expressway Police Station in Noida under Sections 352, 353(1) and 356(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to provoking a breach of peace, statements conducing to public mischief and defamation.

The case has since been transferred to the Parliament Street Police Station in Delhi for further investigation.

CJP questions criminal action

Reacting to the FIR, Cockroach Janta Party spokesperson Saurav Das said while the language used during the protest may have been inappropriate, criminal proceedings should not be used against demonstrators solely for their remarks.

"If any language used was derogatory, the aggrieved person is free to pursue civil or criminal defamation remedies," Das said.

"However, using the criminal justice machinery against protesters over objectionable language is highly condemnable, and no one should be punished merely for the words they used."

The controversy comes amid continuing protests over alleged examination paper leaks, with the government's proposed anti-paper leak legislation remaining at the centre of the political debate.